University of Chester

The University of Chester traces its origins to 1839, when Chester Diocesan Training College opened as the first purpose-built teacher training college in the UK. It was granted full university status in 2005. The university is based mainly in the historic city of Chester, where teaching takes place across several specialist sites, including Exton Park on Parkgate Road, the Kingsway Creative Campus and Queen's Park, home to the Business School. It also operates University Centre Warrington, along with smaller university centres in Birkenhead and at Reaseheath near Nantwich, which concentrate on practice-based and professional courses.

The university has around 15,000 students. Its portfolio spans business, law, education, health and social care, creative arts, humanities, sport, life sciences, computing and engineering, building on a long tradition in teacher education. It received an overall Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.

Information for International Students

The University of Chester supports international applicants through country-specific international representatives and an admissions team that handles the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) required for a Student visa. After arrival, a Visa Compliance team and the Student Experience Team provide advice, and an International Student Handbook covers practical aspects of living and studying in Chester. The university's pre-sessional courses prepare students to reach an IELTS equivalent of 6.0 for undergraduate study and 6.5 for postgraduate study, which reflects the typical requirement for most courses.

Students who need to improve their English can join an online pre-sessional English course of five, nine or thirteen weeks, taught by UK-based tutors in small groups. The university's own Centre for Foundation Studies delivers International Foundation Programmes that combine an English and academic skills module with subject modules, leading to degrees in business, law and social sciences, engineering and computing, life sciences and creative arts. Accommodation applications open in spring, with a priority deadline in July. Manchester Airport is the nearest international hub, and new students are encouraged to attend welcome events in their first weeks. Eligible graduates may apply for the UK Graduate Route.